Martha Putz

Martha Emma Putz, age 99 of Baraboo, WI, passed away on Oct. 6, 2018 at St. Clare Meadow's Care Center.Visitation and funeral services will be held at the Redlin Funeral Home, 401 Madison Ave., Baraboo, WI on Oct. 11, 2018 with the Redlin Staff and Pastor Andrew Dear, North Freedom Baptist Church officiating. Visitation for immediate family members will be from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. and public visitation from 12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by the church's Women's Missionary Fellowship. Funeral services will follow visitation from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. The burial ceremony will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery for family and close friends.Martha was born in Reedsburg, WI the daughter of Martin and Meta (Gade) Steckelberg on Jan. 30, 1919. Her formative years were spent helping out with the endless tasks associated with a large dairy farm located outside of Loganville, WI owned and operated by her father. She attended the K-8 elementary school in Loganville and graduated in 1927.Martha married Richard Albert Putz on Jan. 1, 1939. They lived on a farm in Greenfield Township, Sauk County for about five years before moving their new home, 516 Grove Street in Baraboo.Martha's primary role was a dedicated mother and wife, but she was actively engaged in many civic and church group activities at St. John's Lutheran Church and then at the North Freedom Baptist Church. She was involved in the Brownie level of the Girl Scouts of America as a local leader. She enjoyed numerous art and craft hobbies such as; figurine painting, stamp collecting and leather craft. Her strong religious faith served as a foundation for her life as demonstrated by not only living individually, but also by being a strong leader for family, church and national movements such as the Right to Life Organization. Martha was the "Babysitter" for many children in the Baraboo area, serving as surrogate mother so that parents could work and provide for their families.Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents, Martin and Meta; two sisters, Remona (Clarence) Bloedau and Alice (George) Pederson.Martha is survived by her children; Gene (Karen) Putz of Gorham, ME, Arlan Putz of Baraboo, Bonnie Smith of Union Grove, WI and Richard (Sandy) Putz. Martha is also survived by a brother, Ivan (JoAnn) Steckelberg of Denzer, WI as well as a sister, Pearl Meixelsperger of Mazomanie, WI, 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at St. Clare Meadow's Care Center for their exceptional care for Martha and the support, comradery and joy shared by the North Freedom Baptist Church congregation. Special thanks go to Pastor Dear and Gaye Caney.